Neferukekashta

Neferukekashta (died 265 BC) was the Queen of Cyrenaica from 272 to 265 BC, preceding Amanikhatashan. She led the secession of Cyrenaica from Ptolemaic Egypt, and she proceeded to fight against Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus, who sought to reconquer Libya. Neferukekashta was slain at the Battle of Kom Sawwan in 265 BC.

Biography
Neferukekashta was born in Cyrene, Cyrenaica, Ptolemaic Egypt to a Hellenized Libyan family. In 272 BC, she led a secessionist movement which resulted in the independence of Cyrenaica, a vassal of Egypt. Pharaoh Ptolemy II Philadelphus personally led a campaign to bring the Cyrenaicans to heel, marching through the desert with an army of Egyptian soldiers and mercenaries. Having lost several cities to the Ptolemies, Neferukekashta resolved upon an invasion of Egypt, laying siege to Alexandria. However, she failed to take the city in time, lifting the siege as Ptolemy's army returned from Libya. The two armies met in battle at Kom Sawwan, where Neferukekashta led her soldiers from the rear. However, she and her bodyguards were soon surrounded by Ptolemaic soldiers, and she was slain as she attempted to flee the battlefield with the retreating remnants of her army.